Acts 1:12-26 (NLT)

The disciples returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, where they had just witnessed the most phenomenal event—right before their very eyes Jesus ascended into Heaven, to sit again at God the Father’s right hand in glory. But before He was taken up, He gave them instructions and a great commission. Their commission was to go into all the world and preach the Good News, baptizing and teaching all nations in the Name of Jesus. That commission belongs to the Church—it’s for every Christian to obey. The instructions Jesus gave his disciples were that they must go and wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Comforter Jesus had promised them—the Holy Spirit. They must receive Him in all His fullness before attempting to carry out the Great Commission. Jesus had told them that the Holy Spirit would give them the power they needed to complete the task.

Without the power of the Holy Spirit, we cannot be all that God intends for us to be. The extent to which a person opens up his life to the empowering of the Holy Spirit is the extent to which God can use him in His purposes. Because “‘It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord.” What an awesome thing that the Holy Spirit is working through the Church throughout the world today. This is the same Holy Spirit who revolutionized the Early Church and catapulted them into turning the world upside down with the Good News of Jesus. Yes, He’s still in the Church today. No one denomination has a monopoly on Him, no one country or place. He moves as He wills, wherever people are seeking to receive Him. Ephesians 5:18 says, “Let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.”

If we are ever going to see a spiritual awakening take place in our times—in the Church, in our state, in our nation—it will only come about as a result of prayer. The Bible conveys this message to us time and time again as we read countless stories of how God moved on behalf of His people, turned nations and situations around, in response to prayer. And He has declared forthrightly, so that no mistake can be made, “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

God is not waiting for the world to turn to Him in repentance; He’s not waiting for our leaders in parliament to seek His face. He’s waiting for the Church to get on her knees. How about you?

Reflection: 
What keeps the churches today from praying? How does the Holy Spirit help you in your prayers? What is His role? What is my role?

Posted: March 5, 2007
*This devotional first appeared in Encounter Monthly Journal, June 2006